What happened: The Blackhawks acquired defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway, both of whom are set to become unrestricted free agents after the 2025-26 season. That timeline frames each as a potential one-year addition rather than a long-term piece. For a club still in the early stages of a rebuild, the structure of the move has drawn scrutiny.

Why it matters: Spending meaningful assets on players a season away from free agency is an aggressive approach for a team not yet in win-now mode. If neither signs an extension, Chicago risks paying a steep acquisition cost for short-term help. The fit only pays off if the front office can convert the window into a longer commitment, as detailed in coverage of the deal that sent Byram and Greenway to Chicago.

What to watch: Watch whether Chicago opens extension talks with either Byram or Greenway, or positions them as trade-deadline chips if a deal can't be reached.